With Le'Veon Bell sitting out last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was James Connor who took on the extra workload. This season he still expects he will have a big role, but also expects that it will be a little more spread out based on what he has seen so far this offseason.

“I think it’ll be spread out pretty evenly,” the Steelers running back said, via Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Last year when Connor went down with an injury, it was Jaylen Samuels who stepped up and rookie running back Benny Snell had no issue racking up carries with the Kentucky Wildcats. Connor said he watched a lot of tape of Snell during college and came away impressed, and knows that Samuels is ready for another big year.

“I’ve seen his college tape. He’s also learned the offense really quick. I know he’ll be ready to play this year,” Conner said of Snell. “Jaylen, obviously, is going to make a lot of plays, too.”

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Steelers News
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Steelers’ next step if T.J. Watt’s contract extension gets doneMike Gianakos ·
Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts to a call against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. San Francisco won 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dan Orlovsky has Steelers fans up in arms over Broncos declarationMike Gianakos ·
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) attempts to block the pass from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium.
T.J. Watt contract talks with Steelers get encouraging updateBen Strauss ·
Steelers news: Aaron Rodgers-Mike Tomlin duo hit with 'underachiever' label from Ryan Clark
Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers-Mike Tomlin duo hit with ‘underachiever’ label from Ryan ClarkChris Spiering ·
Steelers news: Ex-GM blasts Aaron Rodgers: 'Irrelevant by Thanksgiving', Mike Tannenbaum
Close Aaron Rodgers coach observers think Steelers got ‘steal’Ben Strauss ·
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) scores the game winning touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17.
Steelers makes $12.5 million move on starting DBMatty Breisch ·

Connor has no issues with the reps being divided, but he just hopes the reason isn't that the Steelers think he isn't durable. Connor did miss time last year because of injury but says that was more a fluke and it could have happened to anyone.

“I’m durable,” Conner said. “I missed a couple games. No matter what shape you’re in or how your body is, that happens. You know that’s going to happen.”

The Steelers hope the running back is productive this year, and it's never a bad thing to have three good running backs on the roster.